Bias Blowback
OPINION: It's no surprise to this old mutt that some politicians are done playing nice with the low rent media pack that hounds them looking for a 'gotcha' moment.
OPINION: The Hound reckons the powers at Landcorp (or as they/them like to call themselves, Pāmu) are coming under the microscope with the new government in place.
The first signs have already come from State Owned Enterprises Minister Paul Goldsmith who has said that he is “not happy” with its performance.
Goldsmith’s comments follow the state farmer’s measly half year result in 2023 of $3 million – down from $15 million for the 2022 half year. The minister says he expects SOEs to operate as efficiently and profitably as similar businesses not owned by the Crown.
“I am not yet satisfied that Pāmu is achieving this and I expect it to take steps to improve.”
Goldsmith could start by clearing out all the woke political appointments made to Landcorp’s board by the previous administration and put in place some hard-nosed business types who demand results and not feelgood claptrap from the SOE!
Cyber attacks on New Zealand businesses are down.
The man who organised a 57,000 signature petition to ban the export of live animals by sea from NZ says he's delighted that the Government has abandoned plans to reinstate the trade.
Central Hawke's Bay Mayor Will Foley says McCains plans to close its Hastings vegetable processing factory is a "tough pill to swallow" for the Hawke's Bay region.
New Zealand's largest medicinal cannabis operation is looking for contract growers to help meet surging international demand.
The proposed retrenchment of Heinz Wattied's manufacturing presenced in New Zealand will be a blow to the wallets of more than 200 Canterbury vegetable growers.
The cost of running a New Zealand farm is now 27% higher than it was before Covid, putting sustained pressure on profitability acrfoss the sector, according to new ANZ research.

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